Virtual Learning Network

Linda, I love how these videos can be used to link classroom practice with UDL. 

They offer practical tools that we may be already using to great effect in our classrooms, however I find these videos a good to watch to become mindful of why we use these tools within our own practice. 

How do kids know how to use their "Think Time"?

In looking at how to implement "Think Time", explicit teaching of this as a tool at the beginning of the year/term so that students are aware of the ways that they could gather their thoughts and why they have individual time and how shared conversations can extend and challenge their views. In the video I saw some students using a worksheet template, while others wrote more freely in their books. I'm sure a mindmap would likely appear here, as well as just the opportunity to sit and think.  

I agree, it would be nice to see what prompts were given to the students for their think time and if any visuals were used in support. 

Image Source:  Flickr Taymaz Valley

Thanks Lynne for the links and the review.

It is great to have a place here in the VLN to go to find out more and ask specific questions relating to Assistive Technologies. 

Roxy

We are so excited to share with you Dr Katie Novak's Keynote at ULearn14, where UDL was shot into the spotlight. A show of hands (at 8:10) showed that approximately half of the audience had never heard of Universal Design for Learning. So this was the perfect opportunity to sow the seed of UDL throughout the wider education community.

Katie modelled perfectly how even a keynote can have a UDL approach, coming off the stage to talk with groups and check what was happening in the @katienovakUDL and #ULearn14 Twitter feed, then incorporating this back into her message.  

Image: Chrissie Butler introduces Dr Katie Novak's keynote ULearn14

Katie’s analogy of the dinner party was a great example to highlight “How do I create a lesson that fits everybody?” The audience was able to reflect whether they automatically go to what they like or are good at teaching, or if their focus is on what will engage and motivate their students.

Katie talked briefly about the 3 brain networks and that each of them must light up for “TRUE learning to occur”. You may notice as you watch that the order of the 3 networks has changed with engagement now coming first.

Katie Novak: Universal Design for Learning, an introduction from EDtalks on Vimeo.

Even though I was lucky enough to see Dr Katie Novak at Ulearn14, watching this video back has added more value to what she talked about. I can take my time, stop the video, make notes, re-watch pieces, reflect on my own practice. I can access the slides and links, explore some of the resources she is talking about and develop a deeper understanding of UDL in practice. I hope you all can share in this rich resource and share your thoughts.

Also available are Dr Katie Novak’s:

• keynote slides

• a collaborative doc from the keynote

• Breakout materials, resources and presentation about “Involving students in the UDL Classroom”

• Twitter @katienovakUDL, and she is often a part of #UDLchat (1st & 3rd Friday 2pm NZ time)

Vivita, 

Thank you for sharing with us your experiences - The Arts lend nicely to exploring cultural heritage where communicating through language is a barrier. It would be lovely to hear more student stories in other means of action and expression to the video above. 

Also, congratulations on becoming an e-Fellow! We were so pleased to see you at #ULearn14 representing learners with special education needs and the deaf community in your inquiry! We will be following your journey with great interest. 

Hi Monika, 

Can you share a little more about what you presented at #ULearn14 with us in this forum? It would be great to have a look at any resources that you shared within your workshop. 

I particularly like that GAFE has so many add-ons that support learners, with Read&Write one supporting accessibility for many students.  

As I don't have a class of my own - I am looking forward to CONNECTED Educator Month!  

For the month of October there are many online discussions, webinars, twitter chats, blogs, etc etc to link up with other education professionals worldwide. 

Aimee your plan for social action sounds really collaborative. It would be awesome to share your students learning collaboration as they work through this unit. Maybe you could share some photos and videos with us as the term progresses. 

Looking forward to hearing what others are doing!

Roxy

Kia Ora Aimee and HB Teachers, 

Well done on creating this group!

I am a Learning with Digital Technologies (LwDT) Facilitator with Leigh and Barb, and I am right here on your doorstep in Napier! I am looking forward to connecting with you all in this space and hopefully in person some time soon. 

My areas of interest is working with Special Education needs and Universal Design for Learning, but I am good with other techy kind of things too. I will pass it on to other local teachers that might be interested in joining the group. 

Roxy

CAST have updated their UDL at a Glance video. If you haven't watched it in a while take another look - the timings all match up and they have added some more visuals. 

 "Curriculum should provide Genuine Learning Opportunities for each and every student" 

Hi Linda, 

Here is a Writers Workshop that shows another way of using visuals to support the writing process with young children. 

Watch the video 

When considering the UDL Framework while watching this video, I thought it explicitly shows options for comprehension (Checkpoint 3.3) in action. 

Checkpoint 3.3 Guide information processing, visualization, and manipulation

• Give explicit prompts for each step in a sequential process
• Provide interactive models that guide exploration and new understandings
• Introduce graduated scaffolds that support information processing strategies
• Provide multiple entry points to a lesson and optional pathways through content (e.g., exploring big ideas through dramatic works, arts and literature, film and media)
• “Chunk” information into smaller elements

 I too am keen to see some more examples of using visuals to support the writing process shared here! 

UDL Guideline 2.4: Promote understanding across languages

There are currently only two trilingual interpreters within NZ who can fluently communicate in English, Te reo maori and NZ Sign. This video dives into the importance of connecting with culture for these five students.

"Ko Wai Au (See My Voice) is an exhibition empowering Māori rangatahi who identify as Deaf to communicate with others leading to a wider understanding of aspirations as young Deaf Māori. This video captures an inspiring dialogue from six rangatahi."

Watch a video acknowledging the team behind Ko Wai Au: http://youtu.be/oF3xwL2-N1U 

For our students with  special education needs, how do we build their sense of identity that is not based around their "disability" but is inspired by their culture? 

Read more on:

•  How do you get to know your Pasifika students?